I recently discovered that Canadians call hoodies "bunny hugs". As in, newspapers could read "Roving bands of teenagers, dressed in sagging pants and bunny hugs, broke into the local gas station". O, Canada. I've never met you, but I love you. This hat is uber girly. It's made from 100% alpaca and is a baby pink. Softest yarn and the softest color. So what else could I do than put it on my baby nephew?
I think this hat would be super cute in brighter, funner colors. But, maybe the world needs a few more super soft, baby pink hats.
Bunny Hugs
This hat is worked top down.
Supplies
20 grams Blue Sky sport weight 100% baby alpaca (50 g/110 yards) in petal
50 grams Blue Sky sport weight 100% baby alpaca (50 g/110 yards) in natural
Size 4 dpns
Notes
Gauge: 22 sts x 32 rows blocked stocknette stitch = 4 inches (10 cm)
Finished size: 14.5" (16") circumference - smaller size should fit 0-12 months, larger would fit a toddler
K - knit
P - purl
M1 - Make one using the increase of your choice. I knit one in front and back.
SSK - slip slip knit
K2tog - Knit 2 sts together
Crown
With the white yarn, cast on 2 stitches onto each of two of the DPNs (4 total). Join to work in the round.
- Round 1 and all odd rounds: Knit all stitches.
- Round 2: M1 in all sts (8 total). Spread the stitches across 4 dpns, so you have two stitches on each needle.
- Round 4: *K1 M1 Repeat from * (16 total)
- Round 6: *K2 M1 Repeat from * (24 total)
- Round 8: *K3 M1 Repeat from * (32 total)
- Round 10: *K4 M1 Repeat from * (40 total)
- Round 12: *K5 M1 Repeat from * (48 total)
- Round 14: *K6 M1 Repeat from * (56 total)
- Round 16: *K7 M1 Repeat from * (64 total
- Round 18: *K8 M1 Repeat from * (72 total)
- Round 20: *K9 M1 Repeat from * (80 total) - For infant size, proceed to knit even stitches
- For toddler size - Round 22: *K10 M1 Repeat from * (88 ttl)
Knit even until work measures 5" (5.5") from crown.
Ear Flaps
Bind off 20 (24) stitches. This is the front of the hat.
Work 6 rows of stockinette on the remaining stitches.
Repeat next two rows 3 times -
- K1, m1, k to final 2 sts, m1, k1
- Purl
K1, m1, k18, ssk, k1, move the worked stitches onto scrap yarn, BO20 (24), k1, k2tog, k18, m1, k1
Work Ear Flaps
Work 4 times:
- Purl
- K1, k2tog, k to end
Repeat 2 times:
- Purl
- K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1
Purl to end
Bind off until 3 sts remain.
Work an i-cord until it is 9 inches long. Break yarn, and weave end through remaining sts.
Transfer the remaining stitches onto the needle for the other ear flap.
Work 4 times:
- Purl
- K1, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1
Repeat 2 times:
- Purl
- K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1
Purl bind off until 3 sts remain
Work an i-cord until it is 9 inches long. Break yarn, and weave end through remaining sts.
Edging
- Set the body of the hat aside. With contrasting color, create a 9" i-cord.
- Join to hat next to one of the existing i-cords, and knit on an i-cord along the edge of the hat (tutorial here) until you reach the cord at the end of the opposite flap.
- Work 9" of loose i-cord. Break yarn, and weave end through remaining sts.
Repeat to create an i-cord edging across the other side of the hat.
Finishing
Block hat to 7.25" (8") wide and 8.5" (9") from crown to the tip of the earflaps.
Braid i-cords together.
Make two pom-poms (here's a tutorial), and sew one to the end of each i-cord braid, securing the braid together.
Weave in ends.